The Biodiversity Research Institute (IPBio) is a place where research meets conservation. IPBio is a nonprofit NGO that develops and supports projects in environmental education and scientific research on biodiversity, ecology as well as on the behavior of species of fauna and flora of Brazilian ecosystems. In addition to the research and education activities, IPBio 's mission is to encourage conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources; and promote the development of eco-tourism and cultural projects.

General information:

The Biodiversity Research Institute (IPBio) is a place where research meets conservation. IPBio is a nonprofit NGO that develops and supports projects in environmental education and scientific research on biodiversity, and ecology. In addition to the research and education activities, IPBio 's mission is to encourage conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources; and promote the development of eco-tourism and cultural projects.

Description of a place:

IPBio is located on the Betary Reserve, a 60 hectare preserved area in the municipality of Iporanga within the Ribeira Valley. The region is home to the largest surviving contiguous area of Atlantic Forest. IPBio alwayys combines research with education thus our infrastructure was designed to conduct research while simultaneously allowing visitors on the reserve to learn about native species. In 2009, the reserve received accreditation as an advanced outpost of The Atlantic Forest by UNESCO.

Is there a possibility to go with a friend/family for this volunteering programme?

NO

Description of a target group/who can be a volunteer:

You must speak either English or Portuguese at an intermediate level. You must be over 18. For the lab based work an education in biology, microbiology or biochemistry would be a huge benefit; however, we are willing to accept a non-biologist who is very interested, willing to learn and who would stay for 6 months.
Email us your CV/resume and clearly state the position(s) you are interested in to contato@ipbio.org.br and we will get in touch with our volunteer package containing further details

Description of a volunteer’s duties:

- Cultivation Program: This is our major focus and is mainly lab work. Testing and optimizing the process of cultivation requires experiments related to: substrate compositions, sterilization method, inoculation method, fruiting techniques etc. This is a relatively under researched topic so the volunteer would have to do independent research/reading to attempt to find out what factors lead to growth.
- Searching for news species of bioluminescent mushrooms.
- Photographing mushrooms.

Information about accommodation, food and logistic:

Volunteers will stay at the Darwin Guest House, situated on the reserve itself, which accommodates up to 8 people in 2 rooms. This house has a bathroom with a hot shower and has a fully equipped kitchen where volunteers can cook. Volunteers are expected to get groceries and keep their living quarters clean. For volunteers who really value their own privacy we have an additional single room with a private bathroom available for a higher weekly price.

Accommodation:

at the project onsite

Possibility of spending free time:

Our town is called the Cave Capital of Brazil so volunteers often visit our state parks to explore the caves. Hikes into the dense forest and visits to waterfalls are also common activities. Boia cross (big inflatable balloons) are used to drift down the many rivers, some of the routes are 3 hours long! After work volunteers can swim on the reserve deck, watch movies, browse the internet, and search for wildlife. On the weekend we often have a barbecue or organize dinners at local restaurants.